and
took an oath that he would marry none but me. I had such a confidence
in him that I firmly believed his word.

Chapter III

A NEW SCENE

After Harry's departure, my father's house grew more and more
distasteful to me, and I resolved to make an effort to leave it. One
day I went to him and expressed a wish to take a situation as
governess--he made but slight objections, and at last gave his consent.
I immediately sent an advertisement to the Philadelphia papers and
received several answers; amongst them was one from a Mr. Herbert
Clarence who lived in the village of Chester. He offered me such
advantageous terms that I at once accepted them, and the next day
started for my new home.

Riverside Lodge, as Mr. Clarence's residence was called, was situated
on the banks of the Schuylkill, and was fitted up with all the elegance
wealth could command. The grounds were handsomely laid out, the gardens
cultivated to the extreme of art, and in short, it bore more
resemblance to the residences we meet on the other side of the water
which are occupied by the proud aristocracy of England than the mansion
of a simple American gentleman.

Nature too had done an immense deal to enhance the beauties of the
dwelling. The scenery around was pastoral and beautiful--what it wanted
in grandeur it more than made up with the picturesque view to be seen
from all sides of the house. The lodge was situated on a rising hillock
and fronted the river, from which it was not more than a hundred yards
distant. To the north of the house was a thick wood, containing trees
of many years growth. In this sylvan retreat Mr. Clarence had fitted up
rustic chairs and seats, and in the heat of the summer it afforded a
delightful shelter from the sun's rays. On both the other sides of the
dwelling was a handsome sloping lawn, also covered with fine trees.

I was met at the door of the house by the owner, a fine handsome man of
about thirty-five years of age. He introduced me to his wife, a
confined invalid who never left her chamber. I then saw my pupils, two
little girls, the eldest not more than six years of age. I found Mr.
Clarence to be a perfect gentleman, courteous, polite and agreeable. I
soon felt quite at home with him. Mrs. Clarence never interfered with
me, and days passed without my even seeing her. I pitied poor Mr.
Clarence having such a sick wife, for it was easy to be seen that he
was a man of a very amorous temperament, and i